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Print | E-mail to a friend ENTERTAINMENT: DINING

GOOD EATS: Sandwich Shop a hit with River Tower residents

March 12, 2008 @ 09:11 PM

PAUL SEBERT

For The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Located in the back of River Tower on 3rd Avenue in downtown Huntington, Hammer's Sandwich Shop is easy to overlook, but those who take the time to step in might be pleasantly surprised.

The small café, which specializes in brown bag lunches to the businesses of River Tower, offers a surprising variety of snack options.

"The Sandwich Shop has been open for about two years," said Josh Hammer, the current owner. "I bought it from the original owners, the Parson family in September. We have more than just sandwiches and submarines though. We have salads, soups, tortilla wraps, quesadillas and hot dogs. We also have milkshakes and smoothies."

Hammer had worked in the restaurant industry around the Tri-State for 17 years before finally acquiring his own business.

"I was looking into getting out of the restaurant business when I was offered the chance to own my own place, which is something I always wanted to do," he said.

Sandwiches cost from $5.50 to $5.75 and can be served on a choice of white bread, wheat bread, a bagel, or a croissant. These range from traditional ham and turkey sandwiches, to egg salad, to pork barbecue. For heartier appetites submarine sandwiches are available. A 6 inch sub costs $5.75 while an 8 inch goes for $6.75. Signature sandwiches include the "Prichard" (bologna, turkey, and ham) and the Italian (ham, pepperoni, Italian dressing, and banana peppers). For $6.75 one can get a 6" sub roll and a cup of soup. Specials are offered daily.

Dieters looking for low carb options can try one of a variety of tortilla wraps ranging from a chicken quesadilla to a triple decker club. There is also a selection of salads available for $5.00 to $6.50. These range from traditional Chef and Garden salads to Antipasto and Taco salads. Side items available include macaroni salad, potato salad, Lays potato chips, Doritos, Frito corn chips, and pretzels.

"We have a good customer base with the businesses upstairs," Hammer said. "We also do a lot of deliveries in the downtown area. We deliver from 1st Street to Hal Greer Boulevard. Box lunch catering is also really taking off for us on the side. We get a lot of orders to do that over the weekend."

Hammer's Sandwich shop is located at 1102 3rd Ave., and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The shop is closed on weekends. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. To place an order or to ask about catering options call (304) 523-2736.

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Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Josh Hammer is the owner of Hammer's Sandwich Shop, located in the back of River Tower on 3rd Avenue in downtown Huntington.

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